Leaders should not be making morality a dirty word

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I was disappointed that Adrienne Ryan ("Ryan says sorry for swearing at school", Herald, August 25) displayed a misunderstanding and lack of appreciation of the quality of Australian school students. I have spent almost 40 years in schools and I am pleased to say that, in general, Australian students know what language is appropriate for particular occasions.

Cr Ryan's choice of language was highly inappropriate and rather than "speak to the students as their equal" she placed herself in a position below most of her audience. Rather than make what appears to have been an uninformed visit, perhaps Cr Ryan might consider taking an ongoing interest in schools and gain a better understanding of Australian students before embarrassing the audience and demeaning herself.

I look forward to a positive report about her next school address.

Don McGregor, Baulkham Hills, August 25.

Adrienne Ryan should concentrate on improving her role as Mayor of Ku-ring-gai before she hands out gratuitous advice to students in the guise of colloquial language. Swearing has its place in expressive language, but full-bodied swearing in speaking to students doesn't improve relationships with them. It simply lowers the standard of communication.

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As for Princess Anne, her poor opinion of her mother's dogs has no relevance to inspiring Australian students to believe they "can change things for the better".

Mary Shelley Clark, East Lindfield, August 25.

We've all made errors of judgement, but you have to wonder if Adrienne Ryan's error was not so much that she used a string of expletives during a high-school address, but that she thought using such language helped her relate to her teenage audience and made her their equal.

In our postmodern desire to do away with authority figures and moral absolutes, we've forgotten that instead of having leaders who play to the lowest common denominator, we need leaders who are prepared to lead.

Claire Smith, Mosman, August 25.

When my daughter started high school at a selective school, many students freely used foul language as they talked among themselves. This was heard by parents as we waited to pick up our children. Now in year 12, I have noticed a tremendous change. Not only are curse words not used, there is a culture of social awareness, politeness and intellectual conversation.

It is therefore shocking that Adrienne Ryan felt that to connect with children, she had to speak their language. Now in Australia and in public office, she has to tie her tongue no matter what her reasons.

Penny Limb, Chatswood, August 25.

Dear Cr Ryan, your children don't need you to relate to them by using foul language, they need a strong parent with admirable behaviour, which they can then be inspired to emulate.

Dee Jensen, Sussex Inlet, August 25.

Let's all take a deep breath and count to 10 slowly. Now that we are a little less excited, we can examine Adrienne Ryan's minor lapse of judgement with greater perspective? Undoubtedly, all of the children exposed to her expletives have heard them many times before in the playground and elsewhere. Will they be irreparably damaged by hearing them from her? The apology has been given. Let's move on to some more significant issues

Les MacDonald, Balmain, August 25.

Forget relating, Cr Ryan, parenting works a whole lot better.

Max Fischer, Scarborough, August 25.

Clearly a lapse of public mayorality.

Bob Liddelow, Avalon, August 25.

PM's failure to defend rights will be remembered

I endorse the Herald's editorial in stating that our Government has failed to defend the rights of the two Australian detainees at Guantanamo Bay, David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib.

Unlike other governments that have rigorously demanded their nationals be returned to their home country, ours has sat on its hands hoping Australians would forget they ever existed. I, however, will remember Mr Howard and his Government on election day, and he will not be happy.

Jenny Zahos, Belfield, August 25.

It is shameful that, unlike other governments' efforts on behalf of their citizens, the Howard Government has not lifted a finger to ensure a fair trial for David Hicks. He is now to be tried before a kangaroo court and even if acquitted, will rot at Guantanamo Bay as as an "enemy combatant". What a travesty of justice.

Andrew Macintosh, Manly, August 24.

Regardless of whatever people think of David Hicks, who is yet to receive a fair trial, I submit the actions and support taken by Terry Hicks makes him more than eligible for Father of the Year. Accordingly, I challenge the people who decide this honour to give it to someone who has really earned it.

John MacKenzie, Glebe, August 25.

Terry Hicks, the father of David Hicks, is a man of amazing humility and courage. Daily I see him on television fighting for the basic justice and human rights that his son deserves. As an Australian I have always understood that you are innocent until proven guilty, so what is going on?

Even the Bali bombers have had their time in court. Now, after a couple years, the Americans see a sudden need to provide a half-baked military trial for David that may not even have any outcome.

It is time for our Government to show some leadership and have David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib brought home to Australia to face the correct justice.

Mr Hicks, you make many of us proud in the way you have dealt with a horrific situation that does not appear to have an end.

Nick Winwood, Randwick, August 25.

It is unfair to call the Guantanamo Bay military tribunal a kangaroo court. In fact, it's not a court at all. It is a creature of the US executive, not the judiciary.

S.E.P. James, Edgecliff, August 25.

We cannot stand alone against America

The former prime minister Bob Hawke claims that during his leadership Australia would tell the United States to "get stuffed" when in disagreement on a matter ("The right stuff: Hawke hankers for tough-talking leadership", Herald, August 25).

As we now move towards a future where the US is increasingly overstretched militarily, what was once deemed the language of a larrikin may prove disastrous for relations between Australia and its protector.

The Australian Labor Party is deluded if it believes Australia can stand up against the world alone and dictate to the only remaining superpower.

Benjamin Smith, Glenmore Park, August 25.

By 2010 no Australian prime minister will be telling lies.

Charles Tilley, Killara, August 24.

Charge Idris again

The dismissal of terrorism charges against Idris ("Bali bomb verdicts start to unravel", Herald, August 25) is understandable given the ruling that the retrospective effect of the anti-terrorism laws is unconstitutional.

However, why didn't the prosecution charge Idris with simple murder or unlawful use/possession of explosives? Our government must pressure the Indonesian authorities to lay fresh charges.

Collin Lyon, Sydney, August 25.

The Indonesian court decision that held Idris could not be charged under the anti-terrorism laws enacted after the Bali bombing is to be welcomed as a timely reminder that, ultimately, what protects us from tyranny is the principled adherence to the rule of law.

Rather than politicking with the memories of those who died and were injured in brutally tragic circumstances, the Government should simply have charged the perpetrators with offences under the existing law, such as murder, conspiracy to murder, etc.

That Idris will go to jail for the Marriott hotel bombings is a just outcome. That he may only go to jail for 10 years because of the Indonesian Government's decision to charge him with offences that did not exist at the time they were committed, is a tragedy.

Dominic Villa, Paddington, August 25.

A cycle of disrespect

With another gold medal added to the Olympic tally by Ryan Bayley last night, it was disappointing to see cycling relegated to second place again, this time behind Jana Pittman and her knee in today's Herald.

Bayley's win follows the victory of the Australian men's pursuit team and shows that the cyclists are indeed the world champions of this glamour cycling event, smashing their own world record in the process. The fact that they achieved their Olympic gold when all the Australian media has wanted to do is slander and vilify their sport is pure class.

The Australian mainstream media seem only too happy to give cycling top billing when it involves unfounded allegations about riders. The performance of the whole Australian cycling team has surely demonstrated that these champions deserve much more respect than has previously been accorded them.

Nicola Allbutt, Waterloo, August 25.

It's great that Australia has won so many cycling medals in Athens and made such an impact on the Tour de France, but more than a little ironic, considering most of Australia's major population centres, despite enjoying kind climates, are challenging to impossible to cycle in.

Historically unplanned and ever-expanding Sydney is probably the worst in this regard.

Sydney prides itself on its clean beaches and its successful "Green Olympics" and of course these are commendable. But many other cities, particularly in continental Europe, are proud of the fact that they can be negotiated safely by bicycle, day or night. When will Sydney follow?

Paul McGuire, Edinburgh (Scotland), August 25.

Fine was no small beer

I would be fascinated to know how our State Government establishes parity for the fines of lawbreakers, having been given one recently. I note that using a mobile phone while driving incurs a $226 fine. Speeding up to 30kmh more than the limit incurs a $208 fine. Yet being caught drinking a can of beer on a train (as I was) on my way home from work incurs a $400 fine. In what way was the threat I posed to the community nearly twice as great as that of a speeding driver, or one with only one hand on the wheel? Please explain?

Steve Atkins, Berowra Heights, August 25.

The death of integrity

Sorry to be cynical, Nick Wilson (Letters, August 25), which century are you coming from, when you talk of "truth and integrity among our politicians"? We, the poor deluded voters, don't really get a choice as to whom is selected as prospective MP for our electorate, for any major party. It's not even decided by local party members any more, but by the back room movers and shakers, well away from the glare of public scrutiny. Please note that "integrity and strength of character" are meaningless terms these days, and are not a requirement in current or prospective politicians.

Adam Rope, Newport, August 25.

Living in la-la land

Politicians who believe that the invasion of Iraq has led to the world becoming a safer place ("Iraq war improved security, says Hill", Herald, August 25) need an appointment with the truth fairy.

David Bennetts, Bowral, August 25.

One bad apple

As a year 11 student at Hurlstone Agricultural High School, I want to express my disgust at whoever it was in my school who posted the Throwstones website ("Trouble at Throwstones", Herald, August 25).

I would like to point out that the opinions stated on the website are not supported by the majority of students at school and I hope whoever it was knows that the rest of us are thoroughly pissed off.

The worth of the rest of the students at Hurlstone Agricultural High School has been called into question because of one person's stupid idea of a joke.

Lauren Paton, Panania, August 25.

Good Book's wisdom costs little or nothing

I don't know what bookshops Geoff McKeown (Letters, August 25) has been visiting, but I've found Bibles for $7.50.

Sophie J. Kunze, Penrith, August 25.

Geoff McKeown highlights a sad reality. But as a member of the Reverend Nigel Fortescue's church, Mr McKeown would also realise, I am sure, that those who come to Naremburn Cammeray Anglican Church are welcome to a Bible for free.

Precious but vulnerable

If all mothers consider their children "precious cargo" (Letters, August 25), why are so many of them seen driving with their precious cargo unrestrained?

Randi Svensen, Katoomba, August 25.

Needs more gas

To a beer drinker there is nothing worse than a flat beer. It made me all the more surprised when reading the large headline "Flat Foster's asks for patience" (Herald, August 25).

Sam McNamee, St Ives, August 25.

Barrier to a better deal

I know one reason credit card users don't shop around ("A little interest in rates could ease the pain", Herald, August 25): you won't get any help from your bank to transfer your automatic payments. Unless, of course, it is offering you a more expensive card.

Meredith Dart, Caringbah, August 25.

Junk mail just as bad

While we are removing plastic bags from supermarkets, is there a way of stopping the advertisers, including political campaigners, who clutter our doorsteps daily with unsolicited advertising material, turning our letterboxes into litterboxes?

Vicky Marquis, Bondi, August 25.

I would be more inclined to reduce my collection of plastic bags if supermarkets provided alternatives in anything but that lurid green.

J. Lander, Killarney Heights, August 25.

Barbarians if they charge

I certainly hope Telstra is never allowed to introduce timed local calls. In other civilised countries, the United States and Canada to name but two, all local calls are free, as they should be here.

Colleen Feeney, Blacktown, August 25.

Another good deed

Some people are good, Peter Thomas (Letters, August 25). I left my wallet in a taxi, complete with rent money, credit cards, everything. Not only was the wallet returned intact, but the obliging cabbie delivered it to my door.

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